junebuggena
Crowing
You don't need to sterilize it every time you clean it out. Once they are living in the brooder, it's just clean out the poo and put in fresh bedding. It's only between batches of chicks that you need to sterilize it. And I only sterilize if I'm buying chicks or if my last batch was bought. If I'm brooding batches of chicks that I hatched, the brooder just gets a quick clean out. And if you have to clean it more than every other day, your brooder is likely too small. I change the sod once a week, or once all the grass starts dieing, whichever comes first.Great advice, definitely has put my mind at ease, Thanks everyone. I was going to move my baby chicks into the coop in a partitioned area once the coop area is finished off with a secure fencing to prevent predators.
Just curious, how often should I put a fresh piece of grass w/dirt in the brooder, daily or only offer it a few times a week? And do I need to disinfect the brooder and the waterer with the 9/1 ratio of water to bleach every time I change/clean it (I clean it daily or every other day depending on it's condition)? I've been rinsing it out thoroughly with water each time.
Thanks.